Health Ministry Probes Mango Imports Amid Pesticide Concerns

The Health Ministry has said it is investigating whether mangoes imported from India have entered the Maldivian market following import bans imposed by several countries over concerns about hazardous levels of chemical pesticides.

The Ministry stated on Thursday that local authorities have not yet received any notification from international agencies regarding the matter. It added that the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has not received an official “mango alert” from global food safety bodies.

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However, the Ministry confirmed that the MFDA is currently carrying out a proactive assessment to determine whether any of the affected batches may have been imported into the Maldives.

Several countries, including Nepal and Japan, have already restricted or banned the import of Indian mangoes and other fruits after detecting pesticide residues at levels considered potentially harmful to human health.

India remains one of the Maldives’ main sources of imported fruits and vegetables.

Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has maintained heightened surveillance and introduced restrictive measures on Indian fruit imports since April and May this year, according to official statements.

Meanwhile, Japanese quarantine authorities, following inspections of Indian treatment facilities earlier this year, reported significant shortcomings in health and safety standards, as well as pest control procedures at those facilities.